The Star Tribune reports re-signing DE Fernando Smith is on the Minnesota Vikings' agenda. If John Randle and Tony Williams leave, Smith could have a strong opportunity to start in 2001. Agent Jeff Durand called any talks "preliminary." Durand said another of his clients, DL Jerry Ball, has indicated he wants to make a comeback after one year in retirement. As an update to a previously reported story, the Vikings signed CFL S Carl Kidd. Kidd could be a contender for a starting job next season if free safety Orlando Thomas is not back with the team.

Patrick McManamon of the Akron Beacon Journal reports DT Jerry Ball was telling the WRs he could line up and jam them at the line of scrimmage when he accidentally poked WR Jermaine Ross in the eye -- oops! No WR went near Ball after that.

The Cincinnati Post is reporting the Bengals have agreed to a contract with Steelers Free Agent DT Oliver Gibson. The deal will be for three-years, $3.6 million and should be signed on Monday pending a physical by Gibson. "Oliver wanted to go there from the start,' Gibson's agent, David Levine, said. "He knows the system. He knows defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau. It's a good fit." The signing is expected to end the Jerry Ball to the Bengals talk. Ball will reportedly now look at Jacksonville and Baltimore. The Bengals are expected to once again focus on CBs Ashely Ambrose and Corey Sawyer.

The Cincinnati Enquirer reports the Bengals have not heard back from DT Jerry Ball (MIN) since they presented him with an incentive laden two-year deal and they will now begin to look at other defensive linemen. "We get the message. He would rather not do it," said Bengals GM Mike Brown. "We'll keep our line open to him, but we'll put out feelers to other people." The team also plans to contact CBs Ronnie Bradford and Darrien Gordon as they wait for Ashley Ambrose to decide what he wants to do.

The Cincinnati Enquirer reports that agent Jeff Durand, who represents DT Jerry Ball said the Bengals made another offer to his client on Monday as the Bengals increased their two-year offer to $1.6 million a year. The agent felt the contract offer contained too many incentives. The Vikings had offered Ball a two-year contract at about $1.75 per season. Ball wants a three-year deal with the same annual salary. "There's no incentive to take less from Cincinnati than what Minnesota had out there," Durand said. Durand also says the talks are good and that Ball has a definite interest in the Bengals.

The Cincinnati Enquirer reports that things are quiet on the free agency front in Cincinnati. They wanted Ken Irvin but he appears headed back to the Bills and they have not talked with Ronnie Bradford yet. They have made a two-year contract offer to DT Jerry Ball, and since it now appears he won't be going back to the Vikings, they are currently fighting the Ravens for his services.